NAGPUR:
Covid-19 vaccination entered a crucial phase with more
frontline workers now eligible to get the jab in most districts of Vidarbha on Tuesday. Unfortunately, not many of the frontline workers came out for vaccination. On the other hand, doctors, who have already taken their first vaccine in January, are turning out in good numbers to get the booster dose too.
Overall, 4,168 persons were vaccinated in Vidarbha on Tuesday. Out of them, 1,014 took their booster dose, which means 3,154 took the first jab. This was not even 40% of the total target set in all 11 districts of, which was more than 10,000. As far as Nagpur division is concerned, target was 7,000 against which 2,510 turned out for vaccination, or just 36%.
Chandrapur and Buldhana — two districts in Vidarbha — skipped Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday as there was already a children’s immunization programme scheduled in these two districts.
Vaccination picture in Vidarbha is quite puzzling as those who have registered for vaccine are not turning up, but those who had been left out are demanding the vaccine. On Tuesday, a delegation of doctors from Nagpur met the additional municipal commissioner and asked why their names were missing from the list of vaccine beneficiaries.
When asked about the reason for poor response to vaccination, doctors blamed healthcare workers and frontline workers. “As far as doctors are concerned, we were the first to take the jabs. We also encouraged and tried to convince our staff members, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated. Still, the response is low, which is surprising,” said Dr Archana Kothari, president of Nagpur IMA. She also claimed that doctors are taking their booster dose too in good numbers, and all IMA members will take the second dose as and when their turn comes.
In Nagpur city, the target was 1,900 vaccines on Tuesday. Total 396 healthcare workers and 333 frontline workers took the jab. Total 95 doctors took the booster dose. Overall, achievement was 824, which is close to 44% of the target. In Nagpur, many healthcare workers are still in wait and watch mode. Reliable sources told TOI that many nurses and helpers in NMC health department are yet to get vaccinated despite their seniors insisting they take the vaccine.
In Nagpur, 23 healthcare workers from GMCH took second dose of Covaxin. None of the vaccine beneficiaries reported any adverse event following immunization (AEFI).